Word of Welcome

We’re delighted to reconnect with you and to tell you that we were able to carry out our access to justice in both official languages mission successfully in 2016. We intend to work even harder to serve the public in 2017. Driven by the Government’s commitment, as expressed in the ministerial mandate letters, we will continue to focus on establishing partnerships with a variety of legal and community stakeholders and with our provincial and territorial counterparts. The Justice in Official Languages Newsletter will continue to be the preferred means of communication of the Official Languages Directorate with its partners. It will keep you abreast of initiatives relating to the implementation of section 41 of the Official Languages Act.

This year stands to be a turning point. In 2017, various federal institutions, including the Department of Justice Canada, will have to act on the advice and recommendations arising from the 2016 Cross-Canada Official Languages Consultations. The consultations, led by Canadian Heritage, allowed members of official language minority communities across the country to have their say. It is now the turn of the various federal departments involved to develop their vision to enhance the vitality and support and assist their development, as well as fostering the use of English and French in Canadian society as a whole.

Last year also marked the end of the 10-year mandate of Official Languages Commissioner Graham Fraser: we wish him well in his future endeavours. The Department of Justice Canada hopes to carry on the excellent relationship it had with Mr. Fraser with his successor.

Lastly, in celebration of our country’s linguistic duality, we are proud to turn our attention to the 150th anniversary of Confederation and the eventual adoption of a federal action plan for official languages for 2018–2023.